Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Pasadena?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $7,600/year less, or $98,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Pasadena over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Pasadena is $7,600/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $98,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

How do Alexandria and Pasadena private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Pasadena

Pasadena averages $7,600/year less for private school (68% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,600
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,600/yr	+$5,300
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$23,700/yr	+$13,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$9,500/yr	+$6,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,600
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$13,400/yr	+$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Pasadena breakdown →

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About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.